End clip for window shades



F. c. SYKES April 7, 1925. v 1,532,519

END CLIP FORpWINDOW SHADES Filed JuIy 24, 1923 fill/21701 FRANK C. SYKES 19041- a window shade,

Patented Apr. 7, 19225.

FRANK 0. Stores, or sea FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

END on? non wrunow SHADES.

Application filed. July 24, 1928. Serial No. 653,484.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK C. SYKES, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in End Clips for Shades, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to end clips for window shades and especially to a clip which is adapted to be received by the ends of the shade stick, thereby reinforcing and enclosing the ends of the stick and the shade cloth surrounding the same.

The object of the present invention is to generally improve and simplify the construction and operation of devices of the character described; to provide a clip for shade sticks which is adapted to be received m by the ends of the stick, thereby reinforcing and enclosing the ends of the stick and the shade cloth surroun-dingthe same; to provide a clip which is ornamental and which may be quickly and vide a clip which forms a rounded corner on each end of the stick, thereby preventing catching of the stick when lowering the shade and similarly preventing tearing of the curtains or other hangings. Furthermore, to provide a clip which is frictionally secured against endwise movement and positively secured against downward and upward removal on the stick. Other objects will hereinafter appear.

One form which my invention may assume is exemplified in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which 1 Fig. 1 is a front view of one corner of said view being partially in section to disclose the shade stick.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the end clip.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A indicates an ordinary window shade, and 2 the stick by which the curtain is grasped when it is raised and lowered, said stick also serving the function of weighting the curtain and reinforcing the lower end thereof. Practically all curtains are folded at the lower end and then seamed along their upper edge as indicated at 3 to form a pocket 4 for the reception of the stick. The sticks are usually cut off flush with the ends of the curtains when inserted and as such present square corners which cause catching of the Window v -The upper ends of readily applied; to proluloid or any other suit ble material may be employed. The clip is perhaps best illustrated in Fig. 2. It consists of an integral piece of metal which is stamped and shaped from a flat piece of metal by means of a series of dies. The clip whencompleted con- SIS/t5 of two side sections such as shown at 5 and 6, and a rounded corner section 7 by which the side sections are tied together. the side sections 5 and 6 are so shaped that they run approximately parallel with relation to each other as indicated at 8 and 9. The opposite or vertical edges are formed so as to taper with relation to each other as indicated at 10 and 11. This is exceedingly important as most shade sticks taper from top to bottom as indicated at 12 and 13. (See Fig. 1.) It is of-further importance as it provides means for securing the clip against downward movement when placed on the end of the stick as shown in Fig. 1; upward movement being prevented by the rounded corner section 7. The side sections and in fact the clip as a whole are preferably constructed of metal or of a material which has a slight spring action. The side sections 5 and 6 are thus slightly spread when place-d on the end of the stick and they thereby frictionally engage and grip the opposite sides of the stick and the shade cloth surrounding the same, thus securing the clip against endwise removal.

The clip here shown may be varied in size so that shades of standard size may be equipped; the clips being applied by forcing the same endwise over the end of the stick in the direction of arrow a. During this endwise movement, the side sections 5 and 6 yield sufficiently to permit their application and they will at the same time exert a frictional grip which will secure them against endwise removal, downward movement of the clips being prevented by the tapering form of the side sections which is indicated at 10 and 11, these tapering sides cooperating With the tapering sides of the stick indicated at 12 and 13. The clips are thus readily applied and practically any standard shade may be equipped.

It is Well known that the ends of a curtain are subjected to the greatest Wear and that the material often rips open and. becomes ragged and fringed in appearance. This is entirely prevented in the present instance by the application of the end clips, and it should furthermore be obvious that tearing of the curtains is avoided as the rounded corner '7 presented forms an antifrictional rounded surface in all directions which materially reduces any tendency of catching in or tearing the curtains. lhe clips lllOl'BOVQl impart aneat finish and appearance to the lower portion of the shade and are so inexpensive as to render them desirable to the dealers, as Well as to the purchaser, on account of the finish they lend to the shades and especially due to the added appearance of durability which is impressed on the purchaser.

lVhile certain features of the present invention are more or less specifically illustrated, I Wish it understood that various changes in form and proportion may be re sorted to Within the scope of the appended claims. I similarly Wish it understood that the materials and finish of the several parts employed may be such as the experience and judgment of the manufacturer may dictate or various uses may demand.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A clip of the character described com prising an end section rounded in side elevation and also in cross section, and a pair of inter-spaced side sections formed integral With the end section, said side sections being resilient and forming gripping members.

2. A clip of the character described comprising an end section rounded in side elevation and also in cross section, and a pair of interspaced side sections formed integral with the end section, said side sections being resilient and forming gripping members, said side sections presenting parallel edges along one side and tapering edge-s along the other side. I

3., A clip of the character described comprising a pair of side sections and anintegral end section, said end section being rounded both in side elevation and in crosssection, and said side sections being substantially quadrant shaped, and said side sections presenting parallel edges along one side, and tapering edges along the other side and said end and side sections being constructed of a spring-like metal.

FRANK C. SYKES. 

